2011 Tour De France Stage 17 (20/7/2011): Gap > Pinerolo, 179km

[Sophistic]

Considering that Evans managed to distance Contador by 7-8 seconds (he closed the gap only at the end with the help SS) i wouldnt be surprised to see him gain more time tomorrow.

 

[just some guy]

Meteo

At start town, mostly cloudy by early morning. Then bright day with further sunny spells for many, with most clouds across Montgenèvre and Sestrières. Sunny weather will spread to the finish. Winds : Westerly to southwesterly at 10/15 kph Light wind in the plain and the valley Breeze in the mountain at 20/25 kph Temperatures : Start : 17/18 degrees Montgenèvre : 11/13 degrees Sestrières : 9/11 degrees Pinerolo : 26/27 degrees

 

[jobiwan]

Sun! Thank goodness! Andy only loses 30 seconds now!

 

[just some guy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcXElHKrxrc

Sun! Thank goodness! Andy only loses 30 seconds now!

Have you watch the youtube clip if Andy only loses 30 seconds he has done the descent of his life

 

[Anonymous]

Considering that Evans managed to distance Contador by 7-8 seconds (he closed the gap only at the end with the help SS) i wouldnt be surprised to see him gain more time tomorrow.

those seconds can taken back on stage 18 and 19.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Danilo di Luca to double up from 2009!

No, wait...

 

[Parrulo]

those seconds can taken back on stage 18 and 19.

or on the climb before this descent

 

[jobiwan]

Have you watch the youtube clip if Andy only loses 30 seconds he has done the descent of his life

Yep, after watching that, he better be ahead of Evans at the top.
Should be a great stage.

Wonder if a breakaway will get the win, again?

 

[Grayguard]

I must say the CE fans seems very happy and optimistic at this point
My advice is to enjoy it as much as possible, before stage 18 starts...
Because I have a feeling Contador is not only back in form, but still improving.

 

[just some guy]

Yep, after watching that, he better be ahead of Evans at the top.
Should be a great stage.

Wonder if a breakaway will get the win, again?

You would think so, but it depends on Contadors legs. If he wants to take more time tomorrow who knows.

ps Nice signature change

 

[jobiwan]

You would think so, but it depends on Contadors legs. If he wants to take more time tomorrow who knows.

ps Nice signature change

Thanks The sig will stay that way for a while, at this rate.

Contador now knows he can get away from Evans on the climbs, and he's shown that he's back in today's stage. I don't really think he'll attack that much tomorrow, and he'll save it for a couple of epic attacks in the climbs. Of course, who knows what Bjarne is planning?

Evans, on the other hand, still probably needs more time over Contador. I imagine he'll do another crazy descent again.

The Schlecks, well, they'll just hold on for dear life.

 

[Cimber]

The bros will suffer hard. But more importantly I actually reckon Evans might be able to gain some time on Bertie on the descent. And he will need it cos when they go over 2k meters in the alps Bertie might be able to drop him.

This short and tough climb tomorrow suits Evans nicely. Its more those loong and very high altitude climbs that makes him suffer.

 

[Damiano]

10th stage of Giro d'Italia 2009, some highlights:
http://tv.eurosport.dk/cycling/giro-d-italia/2009/tv-videos_vid104625.shtml

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

In dry weather I don't see evans dropping contador in downhil, let alone samu, who will help contador

 

[kurtinsc]

Thanks The sig will stay that way for a while, at this rate.

Contador now knows he can get away from Evans on the climbs, and he's shown that he's back in today's stage. I don't really think he'll attack that much tomorrow, and he'll save it for a couple of epic attacks in the climbs. Of course, who knows what Bjarne is planning?

Evans, on the other hand, still probably needs more time over Contador. I imagine he'll do another crazy descent again.

The Schlecks, well, they'll just hold on for dear life.

He needs more time before the ITT? Or do you mean he needs more time before 18 and 19 because you expect him to lose time there?

If he can survive with 30 seconds on Contador prior to the ITT, I think he's got a very good shot at winning it... I would expect a final results of less the 10 seconds to the winner (either way) if Evans had 30 seconds going in to the ITT.

I think Contador WILL try to get some time tomorrow. He's got 3 stages to close down the gap prior to the ITT. I'm sure he wants to either be even or ahead of Evans before the time trial. If he doesn't try to take some tomorrow, he could be in a situation where Evans has a great day on 18 or he has a poorly timed flat, and then has to take the full 2 minutes back in one stage... really 2 minutes in 15 kilometers. That's not a given. He needs to make a start tomorrow I think.

 

[jobiwan]

He needs more time before the ITT? Or do you mean he needs more time before 18 and 19 because you expect him to lose time there?

The 2nd one, Contador's obviously in very good form. The long, elevated climbs will hurt Evans a lot.

 

[Cimber]

In dry weather I don't see evans dropping contador in downhil, let alone samu, who will help contador

Judging from the video most of the descent is in the shade of trees, so if it has rained today or yesterday it migth still be a little wit and tricky.

Oh btw, Evans descented pretty well today, huh? (sorry just couldnt resist)

 

[just some guy]

The 2nd one, Contador's obviously in very good form. The long, elevated climbs will hurt Evans a lot.

I agree, but do you want to here something really weird -

Evans is looking forward to this stage as a positive stage for him ??????

I don´t get it

 

[Anonymous]

or on the climb before this descent

could happen but not likely, imo.

 

[Sophistic]

I think its a bit early to jump on the AC is gonna destroy everyone train, he also gapped AS at the MdB and got dropped in the Alps, he gapped AS at Mende last year but couldnt so it in the high mountains. The Schlecks are better when its a long day with a lot of climbing before the final mountain.

 

[kurtinsc]

I agree, but do you want to here something really weird -

Evans is looking forward to this stage as a positive stage for him ??????

I don´t get it

Well... there is a 45km long downhill after the real long climb. That's a lot of road for him to make up any losses if he simply paces himself up Galibier rather then killing himself to hang on. Alpe d'huez is only 15km's right? That's not too long for Evans...

I would expect 18 to be a much better place to make up BIG time on Evans. Many can beat him on 19, but I think he'll be better able to limit his losses due to the leadup to the final climb.

 

[The Hitch]

In dry weather I don't see evans dropping contador in downhil, let alone samu, who will help contador

Is there any point to your predictions.

Do you honestly not feel embarrassed making predictions regarding Evans descending skills, or any prediction at all to be perfectly honest considering how wrong you always are?

Well... there is a 45km long downhill after the real long climb. That's a lot of road for him to make up any losses if he simply paces himself up Galibier rather then killing himself to hang on. Alpe d'huez is only 15km's right? That's not too long for Evans...

I would expect 18 to be a much better place to make up BIG time on Evans. Many can beat him on 19, but I think he'll be better able to limit his losses due to the leadup to the final climb.

No one will try to drop Evans on the Galibier here. The Galibier only serves to drop Tony Martin, maybe thin the pack a bit and to get them a bit more tired for L Alpe.

 

[The Hitch]

Well... there is a 45km long downhill after the real long climb. That's a lot of road for him to make up any losses if he simply paces himself up Galibier rather then killing himself to hang on. Alpe d'huez is only 15km's right? That's not too long for Evans...

I would expect 18 to be a much better place to make up BIG time on Evans. Many can beat him on 19, but I think he'll be better able to limit his losses due to the leadup to the final climb.

No one will try to drop Evans on the Galibier here. The Galibier only serves to drop Tony Martin, maybe thin the pack a bit and to get them a bit more tired for L Alpe.

 

[BYOP88]

Hopefully the same result as today please. Watching the video look at how poor the road is at the 5 minute mark, no wonder Andy was crying to the ASO asking them to remove this part.

 

[Tank Engine]

Same again please. With the two monster days coming up, look for a break to succeed, but not by much. Hoping that Roche, Hoogie or Gerrans do something here. I reckon that the gaps between the GC contenders will be pretty much the same as today (although the little prince might put up a good showing here on home turf).